From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

HRC MotoGP winter test Sepang. February 19, 2003.

Kato and Rossi set the Pace at Sepang

The second of the two HRC winter tests scheduled for the Sepang circuit, Malaysia got underway today with all Honda MotoGP teams and riders taking part aboard RC211V five-cylinder Honda four-strokes. Reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda, and Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini rider, Daijiro Kato, set the pace on the first day of the two-day test.

Rossi, and his American teammate, AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden, tested the latest version of the RC211V HRC brought to Sepang and both men were delighted with machine development in the short period between test sessions. Rossi completed 61 laps of the circuit while Hayden put in an astonishing 84 laps!

Valentino Rossi: “Today was the first day on the new 2003 bike and it went well. Our main goal was to set the bike up and not go for the best time. I am happy with the feel of the machine and much of the work we did here at Sepang a month ago testing components has been of good benefit on the new bike. The weather here is good and I’m looking forward to another good day tomorrow.”

Nicky Hayden: “Had another tough day here really doing some laps. We’re on the new bike, which feels good; better than last year’s model we tested last time we were here. Everything feels real tight on it and I’m feeling more comfortable on it as well. I guess things are getting there. I’m just trying real hard to be where I need to be. There are a few corners where I’m struggling a little – I got one more day here, then we’re off to Phillip Island, which I’m really looking forward to. I’ve heard the place is awesome!”

The Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini team was very visible at Sepang and it was team leader Daijiro Kato who set the benchmark for the day. The diminutive Japanese rider was in sparkling form circulating the 5.548km circuit in 2:03.08 on the new RCV.

Daijiro Kato: “I’m very happy with what we did here today. We tried different riding solutions and settings with the new bike and I immediately felt the difference, and I was much faster. This has given me a real boost for the remaining tests.”

Spaniard Sete Gibernau was a busy man at Sepang. Gibernau was in and out of the pit box all day as the team tested a host of machine settings on his RC211V. They are now confident tomorrow will be more significant for Gibernau.

Sete Gibernau: “I am very satisfied with today’s results: the lap timing is the same as that of the third day of January’s test here in Malaysia. I do regret having lost plenty of time in the boxes today, but I am very determined to improve my position tomorrow.”

Max Biaggi, Camel Pramac Honda, worked tirelessly on finding machine settings to match the range of tyres Michelin had brought to Sepang for him to test.

Max Biaggi. “I tested a variety of alternative machine settings today and have some positive feed-back. Michelin had so many tyres for us to test that I put in 70 laps. I was happy with the progress Michelin have made with the tyres since we were testing here a month ago, and I was pleased with the times I set.”

Biaggi’s teammate, Japanese star Tohru Ukawa, made his first acquaintance with the new RCV and spent the day setting the machine to suit his riding style.

Tohru Ukawa: “I’m very satisfied to be back riding again, especially as we have the new RC211V here. Today I concentrated my time on finding a comfortable riding position and testing tyres. Now I feel good on the bike I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

The Pramac Honda team continued their winter tests at Sepang concentrating on Bridgestone tyre development work. Team rider Makoto Tamada, and development rider Shinichi Itoh, put in a combined total of over 120 laps evaluating tyres developed from data gathered at the at the same track one month ago. Both riders confirmed a definite improvement in performance.

Makoto Tamada. “I’m much better at this track now, much more comfortable. I am also starting to understand the bike, and the Bridgestone tyres. Bridgestone have made a lot of progress in the short time they have had to work on development since the last test here at Sepang. Some of the tyres have really improved. I ran a 2:05 lap time on race tyres so we are happy with that.”

Shinichi Itoh. “I was struggling a little to find the best set up today to test the new tyres Bridgestone brought us. But in the end I got close to Tamada Sans time so I’m confident we will improve tomorrow.”

Daijiro Kato, JPN, Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini, 2:03.08 (60+ laps)

Valentino Rossi, ITA, Repsol Honda, 2:03.9 (61 laps)

Max Biaggi, ITA, Camel Pramac Honda, 2:04.00 (70 laps)

Tohru Ukawa, JPN, Camel Pramac Honda, 2:04.3 (60+ laps)

Sete Gibernau, SPA, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 2:04.7

Nicky Hayden, USA, Repsol Honda, 2:05.3 (84 laps)

Makoto Tamada, JPN, Pramac Honda, 2:05.3 (60 laps)

Shinichi Itoh, JPN, Pramac Honda, 2:05.4 (69 laps)

From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

American Suzuki Announces Suzuki Sport Road Racing Teams for 2003

BREA, Calif. February 18, 2003 – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) formally announced its official line up of Suzuki Sport road racing teams for ’03. Building on the success of 2002, winning the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship and a second AMA Superstock Championship, Suzuki Sport riders look forward to another winning season of AMA road racing competition in 2003.

Suzuki Sport teams feature an exceptionally talented list of returning Champions like the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship-winning Attack Suzuki team. Attack Suzuki will feature the riding talents of Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore along with the highly talented Josh Hayes competing in AMA Formula Xtreme and AMA Superstock events. Also joining the Attack Suzuki team for selected races will be Factory Suzuki dirt track sensation Danny Eslick.

Valvoline EMGO Suzuki brings a wealth of experience and speed to the new season with three hugely talented riders for ’03. Leading the team will be Chris Ulrich and Steve Rapp with Ulrich racing in AMA Superstock and AMA Formula Xtreme , while Rapp will compete in AMA Formula Xtreme and selected Superstock races. New to the team is 18-year-old Matt Furtek. Furtek, who caught the attention of Team Valvoline Suzuki while racing in the WERA National Challenge Series, was offered the Suzuki ride after proving himself in three races with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki at the end of 2002.

The two-time AMA Superstock Champion-winning Corona Extra Suzuki team is back with a talented host of riders contending in three classes of AMA roadracing competition for 2003. AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore is back and primed for battle in an attempt to win a third AMA Superstock Championship as well a Formula Xtreme championship for ’03. Joining Moore will be reigning Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke in AMA Superbike and Superstock events. Adding to the international flavor of the Corona Extra Suzuki Team will be Australian Adam Ferguson. Ferguson had an outstanding year in 2002 with strong performances in Formula Xtreme and Superstock races where he will once again compete for the talented Team Corona Extra Suzuki squad.

Longtime competitors Hooters Suzuki and Arclight Suzuki will also compete for Suzuki Sport in 2003 with talented riders and teams. Hooters Suzuki features both Mike Ciccotto and Vincent Haskovec in AMA Superstock events, while Arclight Suzuki will field Scott Harwell and Michael Hannas in Formula USA Sportbike and 600 Superbike competition.

Finally, the 2002 WERA Endurance Championship winning Team Vesrah Suzuki will try and claim their third WERA National Endurance Series Championship in 2003 featuring the riding talents of Mark Junge, Tray Batey and John Jacobi.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer Chris Knight and wife Michelle had a son, Stephen James Knight, February 14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (To submit a birth announcement, send name of father and mother, connection of father and/or mother to motorcycle road racing or to the motorcycle industry, the date of birth, the city and state of birth, the baby’s name, and contact numbers for additional information, to [email protected])

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA Acts To End Health-Care Bias Against Riders

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following intense efforts by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), legislation has been introduced in Congress to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists.

In the ’90s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-care coverage they offer employees. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding. This new legislation would correct that action.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) on February 14, would “promote health-care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities.”

Specifically, the bill states that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”

Those words came out of meetings between aides for the senators and the AMA’s team in Washington, D.C., that also included officials of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The bill also has the endorsement of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association, the American Horse Council and the American Snowmobilers Association, among others.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, said the threat of losing health-care benefits is enormous.

“Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider.”

Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their federal lawmakers asking them to support the Feingold-Collins bill. An easy way to send your message is to use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.

“We succeeded in this effort years ago, only to see our efforts reversed by federal agencies,” Moreland said. “Now, we have a second chance to protect all motorcyclists from health-insurance discrimination. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Selected CCS, WERA, AFM, CMRA, CRA, LRRS, MRA, OMRRA, WMRRA, WSMC regional event payouts for GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000
1. $1000
2. $500
3. $275
4. $200
5. $100
6. $125
7. $100
8. $75
9. $50
10. $25

AMA Superstock Race Payouts
1. $2000
2. $1500
3. $1250
4. $900
5. $800
6. $700
7. $650
8. $600
9. $550
10. $475
11. $400
12. $350
13. $300
14. $275
15. $250
Championship: $15,000

AMA Supersport Race Payouts
1. $6000
2. $4000
3. $3000
4. $2000
5. $1500
6. $900
7. $800
8. $700
9. $600
10. $500
Championship: $25,000

AMA Formula Xtreme Race Payouts
1. $3000
2. $2000
3. $1500
4. $1000
5. $750
6. $450
7. $400
8. $350
9. $300
10. $250
Championship: $25,000

WERA National Challenges Series payouts for GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000
1. $1500
2. $1000
3. $700
4. $350
5. $250
6. $200
7. $175
8. $150
9. $100
10. $75

WERA National Challenge Series payouts for Heavyweight and Lightweight Twins classes
1. $500
2. $250
3. $125
4. $75
5. $50

WERA National Endurance Series Superbike Classes (Heavyweight, Middleweight, Lightweight)
1. $1500
2. $750
3. $500
4. $150
5. $100

WERA National Endurance Series Superstock Classes (Heavyweight, Middleweight)
1. $1000
2. $750
3. $500
4. $150
5. $100

WERA National Endurance Series Overall Championship Bonus: $10,000


F-USA Sportbike & 600 Superbike Race Payouts
1. $1500
2. $1000
3. $750
4. $500
5. $375
6. $225
7. $200
8. $175
9. $150
10. $125
Sportbike Championship Bonus: $10,000
600 Superbike Championship Bonus: $5000


Suzuki Contingency-paying regional dates, by organization:

AFM
4/26-27, Sears Point
5/24-25, Thunderhill
6/14-15, Thunderhill
9.6-7, Buttonwillow

CCS
2/27-3/2, Daytona
3/15-16, Firebird
4/5-6, Blackhawk Farms
4/26-27, Road America (double round)
5/3-4, Jennings GP
5/24-26, Mid-America Motorplex
5/31-6/1, Streets Of Willow
6/27-29, VIR
7/5-6, Mid-America Motorplex
7/19-20, Moroso
8/8-10, Road America
8/16-17, Thunder Hill
8/16-17, Barber
9/5-7, Summit Point
10/16-19, Daytona

CMRA
3/15-16, Texas World
5/3-4, Motorsports Ranch
6/14-15, Texas World
7/19-20, Hallett
9/6-7, Texas World

CRA
4/12-13, Mid-America Motorplex
6/21-22, Brainerd
7/19-20, Brainerd

LRRS
4/26-27, Loudon
6/14-15, Loudon
7/5-6, Loudon
8/16-17, Loudon

MRA
5/18, Pikes Peak
6/15, La Junta
6/29, Second Creek
8/10, Pueblo
9/14, Second Creek

OMRRA
5/10-11, Portland
7/19-20, Portland
8/23-24, Portland

WERA
3/22-23, Roebling Road
4/19-20, Texas World
4/26-27, Talladega
5/10-11, Nashville
5/24-25, VIR
6/21-22, Nelson Ledges
6/7-8, No Problem
6/7-8, Summit Point
7/5-6, Road Atlanta
7/26-27, Carolina Motorsports Park
8/9-10, Putnam Park
8/23-24, VIR
10/4-5, Jennings GP
11/1-2, Road Atlanta

WMRRA
4/12-13, Pacific Raceway
6/21-22, Pacific Raceway
9/27-28, Spokane

WSMC
5/17-18, Willow Springs
6/14-15, Willow Springs
7/19-20, Willow Springs
8/16-17, Willow Springs
9/20-21, Willow Springs

From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

American Suzuki Unveils New 2003 Road Racing Contingency Program

BREA, Calif. February 18, 2003 – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) proudly introduces the 2003 Suzuki road racing contingency program. The Suzuki program which has provided 18 years of non-stop support for U.S. road racers now features over $1.5 million in payouts for Suzuki racers nationwide. Highlights for 2003 include a totally revamped AMA Superstock program, higher regional payouts for 600, 750 and open class categories, a chance to compete in the World GSX-R Cup, and the 18th annual Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta.

Suzuki AMA Superstock riders will be thrilled to hear about the heavily updated Suzuki contingency program for ’03. AMA Superstock riders will now benefit from increased payouts for the top 15 positions ($250 for 15th), an increased championship bonus of $15,000, and higher overall payouts per position.

Suzuki GSX-R riders will also be happy to hear that 600, 750 and open class category regional payouts have been increased for ’03. The new payout structure for these regional classes now includes a $1000 payout for first place, $500 for second, $275 for a third-place finish, and $200 for fourth place.

The Suzuki World GSX-R Cup Final will return for its second year. America’s best GSX-R750 mounted privateers will have a chance to win a spot on the U.S. team and take on the fastest Suzuki privateers in the world in Magny-Cours France.

Finally, all Suzuki mounted riders will have the opportunity to race in the 18th Annual Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta and win their share of $80,000. Be sure to check out the Suzuki website at www.suzukicycles.com for complete details in early March.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Rick Shaw Closes In On Daytona 200 Mileage Record

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.,(Feb. 18, 2003) — One rider will celebrate a victory in the Daytona 200 By Arai on March 9 after the conclusion of the 57-lap event at Daytona International Speedway.

Rick Shaw hopes to celebrate breaking a major record in the Daytona 200 By Arai after Lap 2.

Shaw, a police officer from Miami, Fla., needs to complete only two laps during the March 9 Daytona 200 By Arai to eclipse the mile completed mark of 3,187 set by Warren Sherwood. Shaw currently stands at 3,180 miles.

“The record has stood for such a long time and it represents the pioneers of the sport and to be included and recognized with the pioneers of the sport, to me there’s a lot of pride in that,” Shaw said. “To do this as long as I’ve done it — it takes a lot of time and effort and a lot of help from a lot of people.”

The major roadblock standing in the way of the record for Shaw is the Daytona 200 By Arai qualifying session on March 6.

It’ll be no easy task for Shaw to crack the field for the Daytona 200. He’s a privateer running on a shoestring budget against top factory teams.

“There’s always a concern,” Shaw said. “You have to be within a certain (speed) percentage of the (factory) Superbikes. These Superbikes have raised the bar so high, it’s made it difficult for privateers to compete.

“The factory Hondas are putting 175 or 180 horsepower down on the track and we’re sitting around running around with 135 or 140. It’s bad enough that they are getting special qualifying tires and running special qualifying motors and everything else. They make the bar so high, it’s difficult for a privateer to make the grid anymore. Qualifying is a major issue.”

Shaw has spent the months leading up to the Daytona 200 working on sponsorship opportunities that will allow him to purchase a new motorcycle.

“We are going to have to have state of the art stuff,” Shaw said.

Shaw says he first competed at Daytona in 1974 and made his first Daytona 200 By Arai start in 1981. Through the years Shaw has fallen in love with the heritage of the Speedway, which makes the record a special moment in his life.

“Daytona epitomizes the center of speed,” said Shaw, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 was 18th in 1985. “It still does. You can say what you want about all these other tracks. They have a different tradition. Daytona International Speedway has its tradition and I’m going to be part of that tradition.”

Tickets to the Daytona 200 By Arai are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

From a press release issued by MRA:

2003 MRA Season Race Schedule

May 3-4, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co

May 17-18, Pikes Peak Intl., Fountain, Co.

May 30-June 1, AMA National-Pikes Peak Intl., Fountain, Co.

June 14-15, La Junta Raceway, La Junta, Co.

June 28- 29, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

July 26-27, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

August 9-10, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co

August 23-24, La Junta Raceway, La Junta, Co.

Sept. 13-14, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

Sept. 20-21, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co.

October 4-5, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.



2003 MRA Race School Schedule

April 4-5, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

April 18-19, Continental Divide Raceway, Mead, Co.

May 27-28, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports, organizers of the FIM Endurance World Championship:

Endurance Means Innovation

Racing Through the Night

The World Endurance Championship is rapidly becoming recognised as a development arena for production-based racing. We saw 1000cc four cylinder bikes competing on equal terms with WSB-spec twins in the 2001 championship – a year ahead of British Superbikes, and laying the ground for this year’s revised World Superbike regulations.

This year the championship sees the development of two new race formats. The Albacete 12 Hour round of the series will be run from nine o’clock on Saturday evening through to nine o’clock on Sunday morning. The race will run through the darkness of the Spanish night, with a massive Fiesta Espanola running in parallel to fuel the spectators.

The Brno 6 Hour and A1-Ring 6 Hour races are also revised for this year. They will both be run in two 3-hour stages, on Saturday evening and Sunday. Between the two the crowds will party into the night with music and entertainments laid on at the circuit.

Step Up to World Level

The championship is also seen as a chance to further a career in world-level motorcycle racing. Two of this year’s permanent teams have announced “junior” squads aimed specifically at developing the skills of younger riders alongside their more experienced peers, and the competition for places is fierce. With over 64 hours of racing on some of the world’s finest tracks this year, what better opportunity could there be?

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM LAUNCHED IN MILAN



Milan (Italy), 14 February 2003 – The Ducati Marlboro Team for the MotoGP championship was launched today at the FilaForum, Milan, in what is sure to become yet another important chapter in Ducati history. The presentation of the new Desmosedici took place in front of 400 people, including journalists and media from all over the world, institutional figures and sponsors, in a spectacular audio-video light-show display. The bike that will mark Ducati’s return to Grand Prix racing, was finally presented in its definitive colours for the season ahead, and after a thirty year absence, Ducati will now surely play a leading role in MotoGP, while continuing its commitment to the World Superbike Championship.



A series of speeches preceded the spectacular entrance of the Desmosedici on the stage, ridden by the two riders of the Ducati Marlboro Team.

With an introduction capable of relaying all the enthusiasm and passion of Ducati, Federico Minoli, president of the Bologna-based company, opened the proceedings. “We couldn’t have chosen a better date for the presentation of our team, our riders and our beautiful bikes: February 14th! In Ducati we are in love with any project that is capable of giving us excitement, pleasure and passion as a team.”

“MotoGP represents an important investment for the company, which by stimulating research and development will allow us to continue to grow and improve our products, while increasing the renown of the company name and offering a positive return in terms of sales” added Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati Motor Holding CEO.

Then it was the turn of Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director, who illustrated the technical details of the bike. “The Desmosedici has already carried out 12,000 kms of track tests and a further 5,000 will be completed before the first round of the season on April 6 at Suzuka. Today we know a lot more about the bike, and we are reasonably sure of our potential. Troy and Loris are proving to be a perfect team. They are working together, sharing information and both of them are a real surprise. The Desmosedici is the result of a lot of research and great passion, and is a bike that has a number of interesting technical features such as the new four cylinder V90° Desmo 16 valve engine, or the innovative and exclusive stress-bearing frame, which has been adapted from Formula 1. Although retaining Ducati’s tubular trestle design, this enables weight to be saved by using the engine as a stress-bearing member”.

Preceded by the noise of the powerful four-cylinder Ducati engine, Troy and Loris then arrived directly on the stage on the bike in its new colour scheme.

“This is a great day for Ducati and I am really proud to be a part of the Ducati Marlboro Team for the MotoGP championship” declared Troy Bayliss. “The Desmosedici looks fantastic in its new colours, testing has gone really well and all of us in Ducati can’t wait to line up on the grid at the first race of the season.”

“Now we are finally a team!” commented Loris Capirossi, “and we are ready to start the season. After the excellent results achieved in winter testing, I have finally seen the definitive version of the Desmosedici. We are all really enthusiastic and ready for the challenge that lies ahead”.

Before the start of the championship on April 6th at Suzuka (Japan), the Ducati Marlboro Team will take part in three days of official IRTA tests from 21-23 at Jerez de la Frontiera (Spain), and then Estoril (Portugal) on 26/27 February, followed by Barcelona (Spain) on 15/16 March.